NEW YORK — In a disturbing arrest, a New York City youth pastor who worked with children for decades was accused of groping two teenagers, and police believe there may be more victims out there.
Leonard Heard was arrested in August for alleged conduct against a pair of 17-year-old victims, according to police. Working as a youth pastor and band teacher, Heard has spent 25 years working with children primarily in the sections of Highbridge y Morrisania in the Bronx.
“Inappropriate touching of children, forcible touching, sexual abuse and harassment,” alleged NYPD Detective Carolyn Tully, who is leading the investigation. “He had been working in all these different capacities as a youth pastor still in the community. It just didn’t sit right with me that maybe someone hadn’t spoken up yet and I wanted to give them that platform to do so.”
Faced with multiple charges, Heard was released. His next court appearance is scheduled for late November.
Heard worked as a band teacher in parochial and public schools, as well as a youth pastor at two local churches where he occasionally took parishioners on trips to Washington, D.C. He was also a site coordinator for two different community centers.
Tully has been out in the community speaking with Heard’s former students, employers, co-workers and camp counselors. She believes there are other survivors.
“Everyone’s story needs to be heard. Everyone deserves to have a platform to share if something had happened to them and we are here to listen. And we have great advocacy groups like Safe Horizon,” Tully said.
Heard’s lawyer declined to comment.
2023-11-08 03:57:36
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